ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 
419 
Having now given a summary of the changes in the present British Pharma¬ 
copoeia as compared with the last editions of the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin 
Pharmacopoeias, we proceed to notice the British Pharmacopoeia with reference 
more especially to the last London Pharmacopoeia. We commence by calling 
your attention to the following— 
Table of Organic Substances which were officinal in the last London Pharmacopoeia , 
but zohich are excluded from the British Pharmacopoeia. 
Absinthium. 
Morphise Acetas. 
Acetum (Britannicum). 
Mucuna. 
Aloe hepatica. 
Oleum Foeniculi. 
Althaea. 
Ovi Vitellus. 
Amygdala amara. 
Petroleum. 
Anisum. 
Piper longum. 
Avena. 
Pix. 
Canella. 
Pulegium. 
Carota (Radix). 
Pulegii Oleum. 
Chimaphila. 
Pyrethrum. 
Cornu. 
Rhamni Succus. 
Cydonium. 
Ruta. 
Cyminum. 
Sago. 
Granatum (Rind of Fruit). 
Sagapenum. 
Helleborus. 
Spiritus Vini Gallici. 
Inula. 
Staphysagria. 
Juniperus (Fructus). 
Terebinthina Cilia. 
Lactuca satira. 
Terebinth ina vulgaris. 
Lamms. 
Tormentilla. 
Maranta. 
V eratrum. 
Mentha piperita (Herba). 
Mentha viridis (Herba). 
Viola. 
A list which thus includes forty-three organic bodies formerly contained in 
the London Pharmacopoeia, will show that the framers of the British Phar¬ 
macopoeia have been anything but sparing in their condemnation of remedial 
substances derived from plants and animals. By referring to the list, I think 
you will agree with me that, upon the whole, the exclusion of such bodies was a 
step in the right direction, for articles as Carotse Radix, Cornu, Cydonium, 
Cyminum, Inula, Laurus, Mucuna, Spiritus Vini Gallici, Staphysagria, Tere- 
binthina Chia, Viola, and others, can have no claims to be inserted in a national 
Pharmacopoeia. Some other excluded substances, however, as Althaea, Canella, 
Chimaphila, Ilelleborus, Lactuca, Maranta, Morphiae Acetas, Pyrethrum, Sago, 
and Tormentilla, have, we think, at least equal claims for insertion as Armo- 
racia, Dulcamara, Elemi, Ficus, Mori Succus, Prunum, Pterocarpus, Rhoeas, 
Rosa eanina, and Ulmus, which are retained in the present British Pharma¬ 
copoeia. The authors of the Pharmacopoeia appear to have had an especial re¬ 
gard for flavouring and colouring agents, in which we are not prepared to say 
they were altogether wrong, for we all know the influence which the palate and 
imagination have frequently upon patients. 
In other cases, we should have recommended the further use of the pruning- 
knife ; thus, what material advantage has been gained by retaining all the 
following fruits, possessing as they do nearly identical properties, namely, 
Anethum, Carui, Coriandrum, and Fceniculum ; or, in like manner, Oleum 
Anethi, Oleum Anisi, Oleum Carui, and Oleum Coriandri; or, all the following 
balsamic substances,—Benzoinum, Styrax, Balsamum Peruvianum, and Bal- 
samum Tolutanum ; or all the following astringents,—Catechu nigrum, Catechu 
pallidum, Kino, and Krameria? What particular virtues Oleum Coriandri 
possesses over some other oils belonging to the same Natural Order as the plant 
